2017 Q4 Reflections
2018isour year.
The last few months for NorthInvest have been very exciting, to say the least. We’ve seen an increase in resource, energy, connections and activity, which both prepared and positioned us to enter 2018 in the bestform possible.
Back in July, we were shortlisted as ‘One To Watch’ for the Best New Entrant category at theUKBAA Angel Investment Awards 2017.This really set the benchmark, and as a result, thesubsequent months have been packed with hard workand growth.
Our teamrapidly expanded at a pace of one per month(!) to welcome three newmembers,Jack Culpan,Will Schafferand Sara Parker, who all tackle different parts of NorthInvest’s activities to ensure a smooth yet efficient process.
ALetter of Intent was signedbetween NorthInvest and IsleofMedia, promising a combination of both offerings for startup financing and advice with complementary strengths.
We werefeatured in theNorthern Powerhouse 2050 report.Highlighted in the digitalsection, NorthInvest was showcased as a case study within the Funding Ecosystem as a vehicle for co-investments between public and private equity.
Our#LeedsFintech Summitkicked off a great start to our sector event series, which aims tobuild presence around our fivespecialist sectors (fintech, healthtech, digital media, cyber and tech for good) through showcasing and bringing together startups, scaleups, investors, entrepreneurs and facilitators. With NorthInvest Board membersTom BridgesandGraham Pearceon the panel, as well as representatives from The Northern Powerhouse Partnership, U and White Label Crowd Funding, a key takeaway from the event was the phrase ‘collaboration, not serendipity’, which is something we’re really workingon in 2018.
The Times featured founderAdam Beaumontin anangelinvestor Q&A,which delved intoAdam’smotivations for investing and what he looks for in an entrepreneur, as well as providing insight into NorthInvest’s founding principles and vision.
One of our founding Board membersHelen Oldhamrepresented NorthInvest at the recent UKBAA Winter Angel Investment Summit in London alongside a number of key investors and influencers in the space.
A little closer to home, Helen also featured on the panelat Fintech North’s November Networking Seminar in Leedsto sharepromising insights into local fintech startups that had approached NorthInvest in their quest for funding.
Aligning with that topic, we had over 100 applications forinvestment in the lastfour months from a diverse selection of founders, with 64% of these northern based. Encouragingly,approximately one-third of these wereintroduced to investors, with many more in the pipeline.
In sum it up, the last few months of 2017 have been both incredibly exciting and full of opportunity, and weare very much looking forward to taking 2018 by the horns andgrowing the north.
You can follow what we’re up to on Twitter, at@NorthInvestUK
